Members

Principal Investigator

Dr. Swank received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania where he investigated the role of different muscle fiber types in powering locomotion by studying with Dr. Larry Rome. He gained expertise in Drosophila genetics and the molecular biology of myosin from Dr. Sandy Bernstein at SDSU and insect flight muscle mechanics from Dr. David Maughan at the University of Vermont. Dr. Swank's primary teaching responsibilities at RPI are Human Physiology and the Biology Graduate Student Core Course.

Senior Research Specialist

Bernadette Glasheen

Bernie joined the lab in 2010 with a background in molecular biology and Drosophila genetics. Her current projects involve flight assays and fiber mechanics of a fly with a mutation responsible for a human muscle disease known as inclusion body myopathy-3. She is also involved in the investigation into the role of the myosin heavy chain converter region, asking how the alternate converter exons affect the mechanical properties of flight muscle. She created a construct that contains the cDNA version of the indirect flight isoform of myosin heavy chain to use for transgenics and a version of this construct that is labeled with a FLASH tag. Bernie has a MS degree from Rutgers University and has past experience at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the New York State Department of Health as well as four years of experience using Drosophila to study developmental biology.

Graduate Students

Alon Brown

Alon Brown is a PhD student investigating how oxidative stress and post-translational modifications (PTMs) contribute to the development of sarcopenia. Using transgenic Drosophila lines expressing myosin harboring PTM-mimicking mutations, he aims to identify how PTMs underly age-related muscle decline. Alon earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Manhattan College, where he investigated Sth1, the catalytic subunit of the RSC chromatin remodeling complex. Before graduate school, Alon gained engineering experience with HVAC systems in NYC buildings.

Nicole Gomez-avila

Nicole is a PhD student in the department of Biomedical Engineering. Her research focuses on the effects of applied electrical and mechanical stimulation to scaffold-free engineered muscle fibers utilizing an embryonic-inspired approach. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering from "Universidad de Guadalajara" in Mexico, where she grew up. Outside of the lab she enjoys volleyball, painting, and french fries.

Aleeza Zilberman

Aleeza graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in biology. Her prior research focused on glial cell response under shear stress. Currently, she is investigating how the musculoskeletal system is affected by aging and exposure to microgravity. Outside of the lab, Aleeza enjoys running, painting, and shopping.

Undergraduate Students

Casey Ahlin

Casey Ahlin is a class of 2027 Biology major who joined the lab in January 2025. She hopes to pursue a PhD in muscle biology. Casey's hobbies include weightlifting, cooking, and playing with her dogs.

Chloe Spitzer

Chloe is a current first year majoring in Biology. She joined the lab in January of 2025. In the future, she wants to pursue a career in biomedical research. In her free time, Chloe likes cooking, reading, and listening to music.

Swank Laboratory for